Estradiol Patch and Rash: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2022

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I absolutely can't stand the Mylan brand Estradiol patch. For 3 years, I have been using the Sandoz brand and loved it. No issues. In January, when I picked my patches up, I realized the brand was different... okay, no big deal is what I told myself. A patch is a patch, right? Well, it makes a difference. The Mylan comes off in 2-3 days, and I am having to use Tegaderm to keep it on. Then the awful rash that is still on my skin after being off for 4 weeks now. I have searched high and low for Sandoz, and no one carries it anymore. What is a person to do?"

• RCa...
• October 18, 2019

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I was so upset when insurance bumped my price on Minivelle and forced me to go to this generic patch. It’s terrible. Leaves an awful rash, itches, and doesn’t stick. I think it should be illegal to sell these as a comparable product! Bring back Minivelle, please! It works perfect!"

• Kan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 4, 2019

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have used estrogen patches for 25 years, the Climara brand and then much less expensive ones from the UK -- same company, different name. At one time, I tried to save money with generic. The only thing available was Mylan. They are horrible; worse than horrible -- and they stink to high heaven. Gross. I don't care how less expensive they are; they are awful. I found a place that had a couple of boxes of Alvogen left and got them; but now I don't know what I'm going to do about getting the medication I need. Here are two things I do regarding usage. My skin won't hold the patch on; I use a clear Tegaderm over it. To avoid a rash, I wait about 15 seconds between removing the liner and applying the patch. If there is a bit of a rash, I use some aloe or no fragrance moisturizing cream upon removal. Good luck to us all."

• Zet...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 24, 2019

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "The Estradiol medication itself is fine; the patch is not. They regularly become unstuck in the first day or two, especially if I am swimming regularly. Then if they do stay on, I get a rash with every 3rd or 4th one that makes my skin look burned."

• Jlo...
• May 23, 2021

For Primary Ovarian Failure "Last month, Walmart Pharmacy replaced my estradiol patch with the 'Mylan' manufacturer. I was shocked to see how big this patch is, it's bigger than the mouth of a colostomy bag, as thick as a regular cotton round, and it's not sticky enough to stay for days. I shower twice a day, the patch is off after two showers. Technically, I have to change my patch every day. The worst part is aside from the rashes I have now on my pelvic area because of this patch, I'm having hot flashes. It's not effective at all. I cannot do anything since my insurance already paid for three months of refill. And since I have to replace the patch every day, I have already run out of it. Now, I have to endure more 'hot flashes' for two more months. This is the worst patch I've used since my hysterectomy. Well, thank you 'Mylan' for making my life miserable for three months. I will rate negative on the effectiveness if it's available in the choices."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2020

For Oophorectomy "I was started on an estradiol patch after my hysterectomy. It was working well, and most of my symptoms had disappeared. My insurance made me switch pharmacies, and I was then given the Mylan estradiol patch. I had nothing but problems with it. It would not stick, and my symptoms started returning. I then started having a reaction to the patch. I would get large red welts (hives) where the patch was placed, and they would itch terribly. This is an allergic reaction, not a 'common side effect' like they list it as. I ended up switching to pills that don't seem to work as well as the original patch that I was started on."

• MoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

For Oophorectomy "I was on the Alvagen patch. Worked like a charm. This past week, my plan/pharmacist switched me to the mongo, tangerine-sized Mylan Estradiol patch. Mylan? All other dysfunctional aspects aside... who would want to wear that thick, monster patch on their skin all day? As it turns out, I'm also really allergic to whatever material gives the Mylan patch such bulk and heft. My skin flared within a day -- and the red, itchy rash lasted a full week, even after I pulled that sucker off. And I reckon that this didn't do much to deliver my estrogen fix, either... Earlier reviewers pointed out that clearly a dude must have devised the Mylan patch, and I can't disagree. A flaming misogynist, I suspect. :) Avoid."

• MoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2019

For Oophorectomy "I was on the Alvagen patch. Worked like a charm. This past week, my plan/pharmacist switched me to the mongo, tangerine-sized Mylan Estradiol patch. Mylan? All other dysfunctional aspects aside... who would want to wear that thick, monster patch on their skin all day? As it turns out, I'm also really allergic to whatever material gives the Mylan patch such bulk and heft. My skin flared within a day -- and the red, itchy rash lasted a full week, even after I pulled that sucker off. And I reckon that this didn't do much to deliver my estrogen fix, either... Earlier reviewers pointed out that clearly a dude must have devised the Mylan patch, and I can't disagree. A flaming misogynist, I suspect. :) Avoid."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2022

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Have been on Estradiol patch for a year now. Loved them, small, tiny, clear, didn't even know it was there. Used Sandoz, then the pharmacy switched. Like others, I thought no big deal, it happens. So I tried it. 2 to 3 days after having the patch on, I was itching like crazy, red rash, and replacing to put a new one made me sick to my stomach. Mylan Estradiol patches suck. Been trying to find the Sandoz brand, so far no luck. I might just be looking into getting back on the hormone pellet."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 26, 2021

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "I've been on this Estradiol patch since I had a full hysterectomy in 2003. No issues until my pharmacy ordered the Sandoz patch manufactured by 3M Drug Delivery Systems instead of the one from Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Both are 0.0375 mg/day. The 3M patch is much larger, doesn't stick, causes a rash, causes hot flashes, bad breast tenderness and growth, migraines, and loss of sleep. I had to cut the patch since it was too much estrogen. The Noven patch seems to be identical to Vivelle Dot and works as directed for me. Beware of the manufacturer! I rate 3M a ZERO and Noven a 10."

• Haz...
• July 26, 2021

For Oophorectomy "I was switched several years ago from Climara to Mylan brand. I have found it does not stay in place well, leading to skin breakdown and waste of product. It is foam-based and larger than the Climara patch-this prevents adequate adhesion to the skin, allowing sweat to form underneath. It’s frustrating and uncomfortable. It takes my skin approximately 3 weeks to recover from itch/rash and associated redness."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2021

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "My Rx was changed to the Mylan brand estrogen patch after I relocated out of state and changed insurance as well as pharmacies, and after being on Climara for over a year with no issues. The Mylan brand was crap. They fell off after 3-5 days, supposed to wear them for 7. By day two, my skin was completely red and rashed out more than 5 inches in diameter under the patch no matter where I put them. I had to use these for 4 weeks until my doctor, pharmacy, and insurance could get it together and put me back on the Climara brand."